Command Dynamics: Your Guide to the FY 2024 SAFER Grant Opportunity
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have officially opened the application period for the Fiscal Year 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program, a critical funding opportunity designed to bolster fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations across the nation. At Command Dynamics, we’re committed to helping fire service leaders navigate this process to secure the resources needed to enhance community safety and operational readiness. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s SAFER grant and how to make your application stand out.
What is the SAFER Grant Program?
The SAFER Grant Program is a cornerstone of FEMA’s mission to enhance public and firefighter safety by addressing fire and fire-related hazards. Since its inception in 2005, the program has awarded approximately $5.8 billion to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations, enabling them to hire additional firefighters, transition part-time or paid-on-call firefighters to full-time roles, and improve recruitment and retention efforts for volunteer firefighters.
For FY 2024, FEMA has allocated $324 million to fund approximately 300 awards, with applications accepted from May 23, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. ET through July 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Awards will be issued on a rolling basis starting around August 18, 2025, with all awards finalized by September 30, 2025.
Key Activities Funded by SAFER
The SAFER program supports two primary activities:
Hiring Activity
Purpose: Provides funding to hire new firefighters or convert part-time/paid-on-call firefighters to full-time positions to meet industry standards, such as NFPA 1710 (for career departments) or NFPA 1720 (for volunteer departments).
Eligibility: Open to volunteer, combination, and career fire departments. National, regional, state, local, tribal, or nonprofit volunteer firefighter interest organizations are not eligible for this activity.
Cost Share: Recipients must contribute 25% of actual costs in years 1 and 2, and 65% in year 3. Federal funding is capped at 75% (years 1 and 2) and 35% (year 3) of the usual annual cost of a first-year firefighter.
Period of Performance: 36 months, with a 180-day recruitment period before the performance period begins.
Eligible Costs: Salaries and benefits for new full-time firefighters (at least 2,080 hours/year), including payroll expenses for initial recruit training. Ineligible costs include overtime (except FLSA-compliant), equipment, and pre-award costs like grant writer fees.
Recruitment and Retention (R&R) Activity
Purpose: Supports fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters to enhance operational capabilities and NFPA compliance.
Eligibility: Open to volunteer and combination fire departments, as well as national, state, local, tribal, or nonprofit volunteer firefighter interest organizations. Career fire departments are not eligible.
Cost Share: No cost share is required.
Period of Performance: Flexible, ranging from 12, 24, 36, or 48 months, with a 90-day recruitment period before the performance period begins.
Eligible Costs: High-priority costs include staffing needs assessments, R&R coordinator salaries, marketing programs, entry-level and annual physicals (NFPA 1582-compliant), personal protective equipment (PPE) for new recruits, and training costs not covered by the department’s normal budget. Medium-priority costs include nominal stipends and explorer/cadet programs, while low-priority costs include station uniforms and awards/incentives. Ineligible costs include fire suppression equipment, vehicles, and retroactive payments.
Why Apply for the SAFER Grant?
The SAFER program aligns with DHS Mission Five: Build a Resilient Nation and Respond to Incidents, aiming to improve deployment capabilities, increase the number of trained firefighters, and ensure 24-hour staffing to meet community needs. By funding new hires and volunteer recruitment, the program helps departments:
Enhance compliance with NFPA 1710/1720 standards for staffing and deployment.
Reduce risks to communities and firefighters by improving response times and operational safety.
Address financial shortfalls that hinder departments from meeting staffing needs.
Application Tips for Success
Crafting a competitive SAFER application requires careful planning and alignment with FEMA’s priorities. Here are key tips from Command Dynamics to strengthen your submission:
Know Your Eligibility: Ensure your organization qualifies—fire departments for both activities, and volunteer firefighter interest organizations for R&R only. Subapplicants and subawards are not permitted, and only one application per activity is allowed.
Align with NFPA Standards: Demonstrate how your project will improve compliance with NFPA 1710 (career departments) or NFPA 1720 (volunteer departments). Highlight current compliance levels (e.g., “never” or “rarely” meet standards for higher priority) and projected improvements post-award (e.g., “always” or “most of the time” meet standards).
Detail Financial Need: Provide a clear income vs. expenses breakdown, specific budget shortfalls, and evidence of attempts to secure other funding. For Hiring Activity, certify that your fire-related budget has not dropped below 80% of the average funding level over the past three years.
Craft a Strong Narrative: The narrative statement is critical, accounting for 50% of the Hiring Activity score and 70% of the R&R Activity score. Address:
Project Description (30%): Explain specific needs, implementation plans, and how funds will address them.
Impact on Daily Operations (30%): Show how the community and firefighters are at risk without funding and how risks will be reduced.
Financial Need (30%): Detail budget constraints and alternative funding efforts.
Cost Benefit (10%): Quantify anticipated savings and efficiencies.
Leverage Regional Impact: For R&R Activity, regional projects serving multiple jurisdictions receive higher consideration. Include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with participating organizations, detailing responsibilities and fund distribution.
Meet Submission Requirements: Applications must be submitted via FEMA GO (https://go.fema.gov/) by July 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Ensure your organization has an active SAM registration, a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and a login.gov account. Review required forms (e.g., SF-424, SF-424A) at Grants.gov.
Avoid Common Pitfalls: Ensure narratives are unique to your department to avoid disqualification for duplication. Costs must not supplant existing budgets or be used for lobbying, suing the federal government, or matching other federal grants.
How Command Dynamics Can Help
At Command Dynamics, we specialize in guiding fire departments through complex grant processes like SAFER. Our team can assist with:
Strategic Planning: Aligning your application with FEMA’s priorities and NFPA standards.
Narrative Development: Crafting compelling, unique narratives that highlight your department’s needs and benefits.
Budget Preparation: Ensuring accurate cost estimates and compliance with cost share requirements.
Compliance Checks: Verifying eligibility, SAM registration, and required documentation.
Act Now!
The FY 2024 SAFER Grant Program is a vital opportunity to enhance your department’s staffing and operational capabilities. With Command Dynamics by your side, you can submit a competitive application that maximizes your chances of securing funding. Start preparing today to meet the July 3, 2025 deadline and take a significant step toward a safer, more resilient community.
